The next Saturday, May 9, the 76th anniversary of the well-known Schuman Declaration will be celebrated, which is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union, which is now 40 years old.
In that declaration, Robert Schuman, at that time French Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented his idea of a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between European nations inconceivable.
What was initially called the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), to pool the production of coal and steel, has reached our days under the name of European Union and is made up of 27 countries.
The signing of the Treaty of Accession of Spain to the European Communities (now European Union) took place on June 12, 1985, in the Column Hall of the Royal Palace of Madrid. This historic act, celebrated together with Portugal, marked the official entry after years of negotiations, consolidating effective economic and political integration since January 1, 1986.
Sports takes on a special role for the second year under the slogan “40 years celebrating Europe Day together”. The European Institutions and the High Council of Sports have joined forces to highlight the values of the Union through professional sports. LALIGA, The Women’s Cycling Tour and the Final Four of the Champions Cup of wheelchair basketball also join this initiative that reminds us that democracy, human rights, and respect unite Europe and sports.
Moreover, this year, the commemoration takes on special significance as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of Spain’s entry into the European Union on January 1, 1986, a date that is remembered with the campaign ‘Since 1986’, also promoted by the European Institutions in Spain.
The ONCE, in collaboration with the European Parliament, will issue a collaborative coupon for the 40th anniversary of Spain and Portugal’s accession to the European Union for the draw on May 9, Europe Day.
Since last Wednesday, May 6, the Senate of Spain hosts a commemorative exhibition of the 40th anniversary of Spain’s accession to the European Union, jointly prepared by the European Institutions in Spain. The exhibition highlights Spain’s contribution to the European project, the impact of the European Union in our country, and the territorial dimension of this common history, with a specific look at each autonomous community, as well as Ceuta and Melilla.
As every year, the Europe Day Concert, will take place next Wednesday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the National Auditorium of Music, featuring the European Youth Orchestra and Choir of Madrid (OJEM) and the participatory choir “Europe is you”, conducted by Adriana Tanus. This concert celebrates the richness and diversity of European musical heritage, the repertoire includes works by composers who marked the history of European music.
On Friday, May 8, the solemn act of the hoisting of the European Union flag in the Plaza de la Villa will be held (10 a.m.). Daniel Calleja, director of the Representation of the European Commission in Spain will speak at the event, and María Andrés, director of the European Parliament office in Spain will also be present. Likewise, on May 8 at 12 noon in the square of the City Hall of Las Rozas in Madrid, the hoisting of the European Union flag will take place.
The nights of this weekend, from May 8 to 11, the headquarters of the European Institutions in Spain (Paseo de la Castellana 46), that of the Congress, the Senate, that of the City Hall of Madrid in the Cibeles Palace, and that of the Community of Madrid in the Royal Post Office, will be illuminated in blue.
